Is the Church really growing?

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_gdemetz
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Re: Is the Church really growing?

Post by _gdemetz »

I didn't know you were an expert Egyptologist. You should write FAIR about that.
_Themis
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Re: Is the Church really growing?

Post by _Themis »

gdemetz wrote:I didn't know you were an expert Egyptologist. You should write FAIR about that.


Fair knows him well. He was one of the major apologists regarding the Book of Abraham for years as was Kevin G before they had to come to terms with reality. :surprised:
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_Drifting
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Re: Is the Church really growing?

Post by _Drifting »

gdemetz wrote:Did you ever check with FAIR about that king, or perhaps you have just made up your mind already and no matter what you see it won't change. Be careful, the stone keeps growing and growing. Don't let it crush you!


Is FAIR the official Church source for finding answers to questions?
Or does it have equally unofficial standing with MormonThink etc?
“We look to not only the spiritual but also the temporal, and we believe that a person who is impoverished temporally cannot blossom spiritually.”
Keith McMullin - Counsellor in Presiding Bishopric

"One, two, three...let's go shopping!"
Thomas S Monson - Prophet, Seer, Revelator
_Shulem
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Re: Is the Church really growing?

Post by _Shulem »

Drifting wrote:Is FAIR the official Church source for finding answers to questions?
Or does it have equally unofficial standing with MormonThink etc?


Actually, FAIR is like a pig's sty full of all kinds of opinions and ideas produced by the wild imaginations of LDS apologists. It's nothing but an Internet hot spot where loud mouthed Mormons can print their stuff at will (subject to approval by Cracker Jack scholars) and take a stab at defending their church and religion.

FARMS is just a temporary arm of the church wherein ideas of scholars (guys with diplomas) are presented to the church as worthy of consideration. All of it is only the opinions of men and is in no way considered offical church doctrine. FARMS could be shut down at any time on any given day. It's like a readers section for Mormons.

The Book of Abraham is official scripture to the whole church and is binding on the members. The Facsimile is part of the Book of Abraham and the Explanations therein are part of the revelations of Joseph Smith restoring Egyptian history to the world through his ability to translate the Egyptian language. It is binding on the church and was ratified in General Conference as the mind and will of the Lord. The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve saw to it, and the congregation raised their hands in approval. It was a done deal and later served as proof that Joseph Smith lied about his professed ability to translate.

I think that nonmembers who find out about the Explanations of Facsimile No. 3 will never join the church. Hence, church growth will slow as the public gains further knowledge about Mormonism -- thanks to Google! I also think it's reasonable to assume that members who find out about the false claims of Facsimile No. 3 will seriously question the ability of Joseph Smith to translate. That could lead to the loss of testimony and that's a good thing. Loosing a testimony of Mormonism is a beautiful experience -- frees the soul and allows fresh air to invigorate the spiritual lungs.

Paul O
_gdemetz
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Re: Is the Church really growing?

Post by _gdemetz »

Where did you get your PHD in Egyptology, Shulem?
_Drifting
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Re: Is the Church really growing?

Post by _Drifting »

gdemetz wrote:Where did you get your PHD in Egyptology, Shulem?



You seem to agree with the one PHD holder that authenticates that which you already want to believe about the Book of Abraham, yet disagree with the plethora of PHD holders that have used evidentiary methodology to show the Book of Abragam is a fraud.

Hmmm....
“We look to not only the spiritual but also the temporal, and we believe that a person who is impoverished temporally cannot blossom spiritually.”
Keith McMullin - Counsellor in Presiding Bishopric

"One, two, three...let's go shopping!"
Thomas S Monson - Prophet, Seer, Revelator
_gdemetz
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Re: Is the Church really growing?

Post by _gdemetz »

It's the same story with so called science verses the Bible. Which flavor of scientist do you prefer. You imply that the PHD's are ignorant who believe differently than you. I prefer the same ones that Christ would prefer. He obviously believed in the Old Testament accounts, and being the Creator, he should know, right? He also warned about men being puffed up in pride because they think they as far as the wisdom of the world is concerned.
_Drifting
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Re: Is the Church really growing?

Post by _Drifting »

gdemetz wrote:It's the same story with so called science verses the Bible. Which flavor of scientist do you prefer. You imply that the PHD's are ignorant who believe differently than you. I prefer the same ones that Christ would prefer. He obviously believed in the Old Testament accounts, and being the Creator, he should know, right? He also warned about men being puffed up in pride because they think they as far as the wisdom of the world is concerned.



Interesting.
You use the phrase 'you imply that the PHD's are ignorant who believe differently than you.'
Can you see anything ironic in those words?

As a matter of fact, I didn't imply anything of the kind. I implied that you choose to believe the microscopic minority of PHD holder who happens to agree with your already held belief about the Book of Abraham. I implied that you choose to disbelieve the overwhelmingly vast majority of PHD holders who, through evidential methodology, have concluded that the Book of Abraham is not what it claims to be.

Which specific PHD holding supporter of the Book of Abraham do you think Christ would wish to be associated with and why?
“We look to not only the spiritual but also the temporal, and we believe that a person who is impoverished temporally cannot blossom spiritually.”
Keith McMullin - Counsellor in Presiding Bishopric

"One, two, three...let's go shopping!"
Thomas S Monson - Prophet, Seer, Revelator
_gdemetz
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Re: Is the Church really growing?

Post by _gdemetz »

It's more than a microscopic number, and BC has not apostasized, but apparently you have if you were ever even a member. It is doctrine if it is a TRUE revelation which is recognized by the church
_Drifting
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Re: Is the Church really growing?

Post by _Drifting »

gdemetz wrote:It's more than a microscopic number, and BC has not apostasized, but apparently you have if you were ever even a member. It is doctrine if it is a TRUE revelation which is recognized by the church



I repeat..

Which specific PHD holding supporter of the Book of Abraham do you think Christ would wish to be associated with and why?
“We look to not only the spiritual but also the temporal, and we believe that a person who is impoverished temporally cannot blossom spiritually.”
Keith McMullin - Counsellor in Presiding Bishopric

"One, two, three...let's go shopping!"
Thomas S Monson - Prophet, Seer, Revelator
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